First Defense Legal Aid

First Defense Legal Aid mobilizes lawyers and overpoliced community members to fill gaps in public defense and create, protect, and engage replicable alternatives to the criminal system, starting with its entry points.

In 1995, First Defense Legal Aid (FDLA) began its mission…

with a hotline that served to connect anyone arrested or detained by Chicago police with an on-call attorney who could provide police station representation free of charge. Through FDLA’s advocacy, this service was adopted by the Cook County Public Defender in March 2019, sustaining and universalizing access to a basic civil and human right. Yet with the victory of this 24/7, on-call Police Station Representation Unit, FDLA’s work for justice is not yet over.

FDLA continues to provide a diverse array of legal, educational, and community services to residents throughout Chicago and Illinois. Our original hotline has grown into a 24/7/365 “Help Not Jail” program, connecting callers with resources to avoid arrest and interactions with the police. Additional programming includes Know Your Rights peer trainings and educational materials, an in-house Civil Rights Legal Aid Program, and ongoing policy advocacy to secure the civil and human rights of those detained by police.